DIAGNOSTIC/LABORATOR INDICATION/PURPOSE RESULT ANALYSIS AND NURSING

Y PROCEDURES S INTERPRETATION RESPONSIBILITIES

OF RESULTS
Chest X-ray (CXR) An imaging test that uses X- Cardiomegaly with Enlarged heart size with fluid BEFORE
rays to look at the structures and haziness on all lobes build up in the lungs  Assist the patient to the
organs in your chest. It can help (pulmonary congestion) x-ray room
your healthcare provider see how Normal result:  Instruct the patient to
well your lungs and heart are Normal lung fields, wear x-ray gown and
working. cardiac size, mediastinal remove any jewelry or
structures, thoracic metallic objects.
spine, ribs,  Assess the patient’s
and diaphragm ability to hold her breath
 Educate the patient about
the procedure

AFTER
 Collaborate with other
healthcare member,
particularly to a
radiologist.

Echocardiogram Checks how the heart's chambers Ejection Fraction: 25% Heart failure with reduced left BEFORE
and valves are pumping blood ventricular function (HF-rEF)  Explain the procedure to
through the heart. EF values: the patient.
 55% to 70% -  Tell the patient that no
normal special preparation is
 40% to 54% - needed
slightly below  Encourage the patient to
normal cooperate
 35% to 39% -  Explain the need to
moderately below darkened the
normal examination field.
 Less than 35% -
severely below DURING
normal  Inform that a conductive
 gel is applied to the chest
area.
 Position the patient on
his left side. 

AFTER
 Remove the conductive
gel from the patient’s
skin.
 Inform the patient that
the result will be
interpreted by the
physician. 
 Instruct patient to resume
regular diet and
activities.